today's field trip to the zoo reminded me that KIDS LOVE ANIMALS, ah, duh, meredith. and it made me think more about projects that would allow kids to feel connected to animals without going to africa on safari or investing in a llama farm.
my friend, stacy, told me about this great idea:
dress up some dogs for adoption day.
1.) either get some bandanas at the surplus store, or a yard of fabric at the fabric store from which you can cut bandana shapes.
2.) give your kids some puffy paints, glitter pens and adhesive jewels.
3.) ask them to make "signs" on these bandanas that will later be worn by parentally challenged pups.
they should say things like:
i'm lovable
i play catch
hug me
i love cuddles
great watch dog
wanna play?
we all know the power of advertising, and every little bit helps.
find a rescue near you
the lesson: you could give your kids the staggeringly scary statistics about stray animals, but that might freak them out. instead, focus on how they are helping a creature who can't really help themselves. this helps kids to feel very empowered.
***added bonus: the time you spend passing out the "necklaces" and helping set up the adoption might satiate their desire to take them all home - at least for this week.
